SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE DIET OF MABUYA MACRORHYNCHA (SAURIA, SCINCIDAE) IN THE RESTINGA OFBARRA DE MARICÁ, RIO DE JANEIRO

Abstract

In this study, we compared the diet of Mobuya macrorhyncha (Sauria, Scincidae) between two different seasons ofthe year (rainy and dry seasons) at the Restinga da Barra de Maricá, RJ, to evaluate if there is a significant seasonal variation in the diet of this lizard. Our data indicated that M. macrorhyncha feeds mainly on arthropods, but also preys on frogs. The most important items in the dict of this lizard, in both seasons, were spiders and cockroaches. The diversity of prey consumed by M macrorhyncha was significantly higher during the rainy season (H'= 1,62), compared to lhe dry season (H'= 1,58) (t test; t= 2,5; p< 0,05). The relationship between the diet ofthis lizard and the prey availability in the environment was low and not significant in both seasons, indicating that, although M. macrorhyncha preys on a wide range of prey types, it does not tend to consume its prey in similar propoitions to lhe ir occurence in the habitat. Although mites were the mos! abundant arthropods in the microhabitat of Maricá, their consumption by M. macrorhyncha was very low, indicating that their ingestion may be accidental. Our data suggest that M. macrorhyncha has a relative degree of selectiveness in its diet, although feeding on various types of prey. Also, the seasonal differences found in its diet may reflect, in part, the seasonal differences in prey distribution and availability in the environment.